(December 2021) Episode 373 is RIDE. Their debut album Nowhere was a landmark of shoegaze, albeit more melodic than My Bloody Valentine, and that’s what made me take notice. But they quickly discarded that sound for unremarkable (IMO) alt rock and later lush pop.
Favourite album: Nowhere
Favorite song: Black Nite Crash
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: just Nowhere
(December 2021) Episode 372 is AL GREEN. Simply one of the best soul voices ever. His early 1970s albums are canon for soul music. He later moved on into religious music which is not my cup of tea.
Favorite album: I’m Still in Love with You
Favorite song: Take Me To The River
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: early 70s are a must for any soul review
(December 2021) Episode 371 is NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV. One of the members of the Russian composer version of the Rat Pack, he is considered a master of symphonic orchestration, including the well-known “Scheheradaze.” He is also known for his operas which incorporate folk and supernaturalism — you’ll recognize the tunes “Procession of the Nobles” and “Flight of the Bumblebee.” His compositions are not soiled by the sappy string sounds that characterize others like Tchaikovsky.
Favorite piece: Scheheradaze
Favorite opera: The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: a solid choice among romantic-era Russian composers
(December 2021) Episode 370 is WILLIE NELSON. An American icon. His gentle baritone warms up any song. He is incredibly prolific (this episode was almost 100 albums long), including countless collaborations with country heroes, outlaw buddies, family members and pop stars. His music covers almost every style of country as well as pop standards, jazz and gospel. My favorite recordings are the stripped-down affairs, just Willie’s voice, with spare accompaniment, telling plain and earnest stories.
Favorite album: Red-Headed Stranger
Favorite song: Sunday Morning Coming Down
Favorite song written by Willie: Angel Flying Too Close To the Ground
Favorite song written by Willie made famous by someone else: Crazy
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: required if you wish to absorb the breadth of American music.
Recommended albums: Both Sides Now, Red-Headed Stranger, The Sound In Your Mind, The IRS Tapes, Spirit, Teatro, Songbird, Moment of Forever, Country Music, December Day
(December 2021) Episode 369 is UNLEASHED, another of the ‘big four’ Swedish death metal bands. Consistently loud and fast, with plenty of Viking themes.
Favorite album: Shadows in the Deep
Favorite song: The One Insane
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: essential for any Swedish death metal listeners
(November 2021) Episode 368 is THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE. It’s impossible to summarize the ever-evolving sound of Anton Newcombe’s ever-evolving project. As the name suggests, at its heart it pays homage to the departed Rolling Stones’ innovator, and much of the music (especially the guitar tone) seems an attempt to pick up where he left off. Lots of neo-psychedelia and shoegazer/slacker rock recorded in undisciplined arrangements, but also experimental, pseudo-soundtrack and other hard-to-characterize stuff.
Favorite album: …And This Is Our Music
Favorite song: Sailor
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: not for everyone but yes to those who like artists who don’t give a f**k what anyone else thinks. I suggest starting with “Take It From the Man!”
(November 2021) Episode 367 is MEREDITH MONK. While a full appreciation of her multi-disciplinary art would include theater, film and dance, I focused only on the music, but even that is quite diverse. Most notable is her expansive exploration of vocal techniques, asserting the human voice as its own versatile instrument. But there is also plenty of solo piano and stringed chamber pieces with a minimalist vibe.
Favorite album: Songs of Ascension
Favorite opera: Atlas
Favorite instrumental work: Stringsongs
Favorite vocal work: Three Heavens and Hells
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: Yes for those who appreciate the avant-garde
(November 2021) Episode 366 is GORE GORE GIRLS. Nothing quite refreshes the palate like good garage rock. I so present Gore Gore Girls out of the Detroit garage rock revival, so named after member Amy Gore and a 1970s slasher film of the same name, highlighting their retro kitsch vibe.
Favorite album: Get the Gore
Favorite song: Casino
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: if you listen to Little Steven’s Underground Garage on Sirius XM, you’ve heard Gore Gore Girls, and by definition, you like Gore Gore Girls
(October 2021) Episode 365 of the “opus project” is STEVE VAI. I’m not into shredder rock, but I’ve always liked Steve Vai due to his early work with Frank Zappa, not to mention his “we’re not worthy” transcription of Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption.” In fact, his first solo album sounds as much like a Zappa album as anything else. Much of the rest is axe-man virtuosity stuff, which is not as interesting to me, although there is an occasional weird gem in there.
Favorite album: Flex-Able
Favorite song: The Attitude Song
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: for Zappa fans and guitar aficionados
(October 2021) Episode 364 is TEENAGE FANCLUB. Their early 90s shoegazing albums put me in their fanclub. The rest is pleasant but unremarkable harmony-rich power pop and chill rock. When they get the guitars going, though (like the one-off second album), they sound like Crazy Horse, which is cool.
Favorite album: Bandwagonesque
Favorite song: What You Do To Me
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: just Bandwagonesque will do
Opus Project 